My prints are scuffed or smeared. What should I do?

• If your prints are scuffed or smeared, try these solutions:

  • Make sure your paper meets the specifications for your product.
  • Make sure you selected the correct Media Type setting in the printer driver that matches the paper loaded in the printer.
  • Do not use paper with folds or creases and always use new media.
  • If you are using cut sheet paper, check that changes in humidity and temperature have not made the paper wavy or curled up on the edges. Flatten the paper before loading it or use new paper.
  • If the surface of the paper is scuffed, select a wider Platen Gap setting.
  • If you are printing on thick paper, make sure the Thick Paper setting is enabled in the Printer Settings menu.
  • If the bottom edge is scuffed, try widening the bottom margin.
  • If ink is smeared on your prints, clean the rollers. Load blank paper and perform a paper guide cleaning.
  • If you are using non-Epson media, make sure you create a custom paper configuration for the media.
  • Depending on the print density and type of paper you are using, the ink may take a while to dry. Do not stack the prints until the ink is completely dry. You can adjust the drying time in the Printer Settings menu.
  • Adjust the ink density in the printer driver settings and on the control panel for custom paper configuration settings.
  Related tasks
  Selecting Basic Print Settings - Windows
  Selecting Basic Print Settings - Mac
  Creating Custom Paper Configurations
  Cleaning the Auto Sheet Feeder
  Cleaning the Roll Paper Feeder
  Related references
  Paper Specifications
  Paper Setting Menu
  Printer Settings Menu